What a LONG week...

Hello everyone, 

Once again, had another wonderful week aboard the ship. 

Here's what has happened…(a lot of stuff happened…quite a long blog)

We arrived in Barcelona on Friday of last week (Sept. 17th) and I was on IPM all day long. I was actually kinda happy that I was on IPM because I wasn't feeling very well, so I was nice to relax and take it easy. The next day, on Saturday, I went out by myself into Barcelona. It was a really big and busy city. It kinda looked like a mix of Boston and New York City, so it was nice to be "home". I walked up and down the famous road that is in the city, where all the street performers and costume makers are. On the way, I passed Burger King, McDonalds and Subway…wow. I can't believe that these restaurants are everywhere but in the next couple of days, I am SO fricken happy…you'll understand why. At the end of the street, the was a big protest going on and I didn't know what was happening but I thought..hmmm, maybe I shouldn't go near them, they might be angry. All in all, I had a lovely day in Barcelona.

On Sunday, we were in Palma de Mallorca…an island off the coast of Spain. Lesley, Johannah and I were together all day and we were really hoping to find a beach…that was our mission. We walked one direction (the wrong way) and found a little cafe to sit down and get a drink…it was really hot this day. While we were just sitting there, talking to each other….this woman walks by and I swear to you…she looked like a walking skeleton. I have never in my entire life, seen somebody so skinny. Her legs were about as wide of my arm, so we couldn't help but stare at her. She had more energy that I thought she would have too. She walked passed us like 3 times and she always seemed to be in a hurry. Well, after we drank our $3.50 cokes (essh) we walked the other direction to where we were told the beach was. It was quite a distance to walk but we finally got to the bus station that we had to catch the beach bus. (If you know the show The Comeback…I laughed when we had to catch the beach bus…if you don't know the Comeback..just ignore) Well, we are standing, waiting for the bus and wouldn't you know…the skeleton lady was back and passed us again. So then we thought, she is following us or something. Johannah was SO funny…she kept saying "Go to McDonalds…Go to McDonalds…Go to McDonalds" it was so funny. Once we got to the beach, it was so much fun. Lesley and I swam in the sea for a while and then decided to get out for a few mins and have some chips. It felt so great to be back in the water again and be in the sun. Let me say something…I have never in my life seen people so comfortable with themselves. I couldn't get over how comfortable the woman and even men were about sun bathing naked….NAKED!!!!! I just couldn't get over that…haha. So, I talked Lesley into swimming out to this little island that was out from the beach…about 1/4 of a mile or closer. We were doing just fine, just enjoying the water and swimming…then we get to a section of the water that was REALLY REALLY dark and we both stopped right in our tracks….both freaked out about what was down there…while trying to tread water. It took us a while, but we finally did cross into the "dark lagoon" to come to find out that it was only moss. Once we got to the island….we didn't want to stand up on the rocks or tough the moss cause we were nervous….so just imagine the two of us in like a foot or less of water..trying so hard not to touch anything. Eventually we had to and we stayed at the island for some time…just enjoying everything. Once we swam back, had a coke and dried off..it was time to go back to the ship. Had a great night that night…did Rocketman and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Monday was an interesting day in Valencia, Spain that started off really crappy because the city had NOTHING TO DO. Walking into restaurants and they had no menus…that wasn't good. Then it started to rain and all we wanted was something to eat. Finally we found a hotel and I said…they HAD to speak English there. Had an okay lunch there and walked a little further down to find out that there was a mall, with an american bar/grill…2 more blocks down the street. Good LORD! Walked around the mall, bought 2 shirts in Zara…which are very very nice. Had a very relaxed and nice evening for the rest of the day.

Tuesday we were at sea, which is the normal duties…table tennis, shuffleboard, water polo, etc. That night Lesley, Johannah and I were so bored and we didn't know what to do. Then Lesley suggested that we have a little James Bond mission to go get the Pictionary from the game room…rolling on the ground, checking behind each passage way for people. Very tricky mission. OH MY GOSH…it was the most fun that we have had in a long time. Just laughing and just running into the card room, getting the game and running back to the room. Played the game that night and enjoyed each others company. 

Wednesday, Lesley and I had a great time Kayaking in the Med. Getting there was a little rough, since our bus driver had to be new to driving…ANYTHING. He didn't understand the whole….keep your foot on the petal and make it a smooth ride (Mom…you know what trip I'm talking about)…needless to say, I got motion sick again. Once we got to the beach, we were instructed how to kayak and all that fun stuff. Lesley and I had the best time trying to keep up with everyone because we had to stay in the back of the pack to make sure no one got left behind. We got to this one part where you could go through this TINY TINY cave to get to the other side…you didn't have to do it but if you wanted to…you could. Lesley and I both looked at each other and said…Lets do it!!! I laughed so hard because we got stuck 3 times….and just to let you know how small is was, I had to lean to the side, just to get through it and put my hands on the rock above me, just to get through. The rest of the kayaking was a great time of waterfalls, beach time and just racing the other guests in the kayaks. What a fun day!

Thursday…the worst day I have had in a LONG time! I was very excited starting my 9 hour excursion this day because I was going to Seville, Spain which has a lot of musical theatre/opera history there with Sweeney Todd, Carmen, Don Giovanni and Barber of Seville. Getting on the bus was fine and the trip there was about 1.5 hours….so I took a nap. Talked with a few guests and they were so sweet. Found out that one of them was born in Dayton, OH. I will say, I have met more people from Ohio on this cruise than I ever imagined….just means a piece of home is always with me…made me feel good. Anyway, once we get to the city we got off the ship and thats when the day went downhill. I had to be in charge of 34 adults, make sure that everyone was happy and okay. The guide (I'm guessing) didn't care that I was there and was a little rude to me from the beginning. We first went to a bull fighting area, where I actually saw a bull getting loaded to the theatre. Come to find out that they actually will kill the bull during the fight and sell the remains in the market. I was VERY disturbed by finding this out and so were the guests. Next, we went to a palace that was famous for something..I couldn't understand the guide. First, he wasn't going to let me and my other escort guide go with the guests. I stood there and thought, no its my job to stay with the guests at all times. So, I walked up to the guide and said kindly, "Sir, it's my job to stay with the guests, so I have to go with them." To which he said in a extremely rude way, "I don't have money to pay for you. You either have to pay for yourself or wait 45 mins until we are done." "Well, just to let you know..I'm going in there with you guys, you have to pay for me. You know this ahead of time that we are coming with the guests and that you have to pay for us, so sorry but I'm coming" I said to him. Needless to say, I got to go in. After that, we went to the 3rd largest cathedral in the world (largest gothic cathedral in the world). What a cool place that was and the people really enjoyed that. The original painting of St. Anthony was there (you know the one that someone cut St. Anthony out of and took him to America?) and he showed us where the painting was restored. It was really cool and I always find something that touches me or says something to me everyday. My confirmation name, my brothers (I think) and my dad's is Anthony (taken from St. Anthony) so I thought it was cool. Also, saw the grave of Christopher Columbus and learned the history about him that I didn't know. Next was the time that he told everyone in the group that they could all split up in the city and eat where they want but be back at this fountain at 3:00pm. OMG…I think that I was going to have a heart attack because I was responsible for everyone. After lunch, I got to the fountain as quickly as possible to make sure I was there before other people. One by one people start coming back and it is looking like everyone has made it back. No no…there is a couple missing. HOLY CRAP…I'm missing two people in Seville…an hour from the ship. Lets just say for the next two hours…I was sweating, just nervous that I had lost people. We had to leave the city, still without those people and I felt like I was going to get in trouble. Getting back to the ship, I find out that the couple had walked around the city and decided to get a taxi back to the ship without us…and also not to tell us they were doing it. I wanted to run to the cabin and just scream at them. That night I had the show and right after skyped with my mom and went to bed…whoosh, what a long day. 

Friday, we were in Portimao, Spain and I was on IPM all day long. It was great to sleep in and stay in bed watching movies all day long. It's exciting to think that we have 4 more cruises in the Med. until we start our cross to the Caribbean…I can't wait. 

This week we start in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday (today) / Sunday and Monday we are in Cadiz, Spain / Malaga, Spain on Tuesday / At sea on Wednesday / Barcelona, Spain on Thursday / Marseille, France on Friday and ending our cruise this week in Nice, France next Saturday. I hope that this cruise will be an easier one than last weeks.

Until next time, 

Jason

I feel like I'm at an airport....constantly

Hello everyone,

Well, I have officially been on the ship for a month….whoosh…..9 more to go. Lets recap my week….

When we last left our story…. (haha…you know how…tv shows…anyway)

Our first port was Porto Vecchio, France…and thats about all I need to say about that. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. Thank the lord, I brought my computer for that day, hoping to find free Wi-Fi…which I did….skyped with mom during my lunch that day…that was nice. We didn't spend that long out off the ship, but I will say..it is a necessity…you HAVE to get off the ship, when you can because if you don't…you will start to feel like a prisoner and that's the only way I can explain it.

Next, went went to Portoferraio, Italy…again, not the most happenin' place I've been to but still nice to get off the ship. Spent the day walking around the city, enjoying the beautiful views that the island had to offer. After a while…we got bored walking around and sat down in the park, over looking the sea. First off, I have NEVER in my life seen SO many jelly fish in the water and people were swimming around them like it was nothing. I didn't set FOOT in that water…I was just stunned. But as we were just sitting there talking and just enjoying the view. We saw a few pigeons walking around us and so I thought it would be fun to act like we are throwing stuff at them and see what would happen. (We were bored….) Pigeons are so stupid….I was throwing air at the dumb thing and it kept freaking out and thinking about flying away but didn't. You know…now that I think about it..I'm sure we didn't look too intelligent throwing air at pigeons and then cracking up laughing at it. Crazy Americans…I'm sure was said a few times haha…oh well, I had fun. After we freaked out a few more pigeons…we were ready to leave but first I had to use the restroom. Do you realize that I (if I would have done it) would had to pay 30 cents…..TO PEE!!!! Never in my life have I been more shocked and as I walked away I thought…"I can't imagine what they would charge someone that ate something that didn't agree with them that came to use the restroom" HAHA.

Our next port was Livorno, Italy…which was a lot of fun. Woke up that morning to discover I had a crew bomb drill…that was interesting. Our safety officer was SCREAMING at me in his little yellow hard hat saying "THIS AREA IS CLOSED….THIS AREA IS CLOSED"….oh man…it was funny. But later that day, I actually got off the ship and took a train to Pisa to visit the leaning tower. It was funny walking towards the tower cause as I got closer and closer…it became very surreal. I have studied about the leaning tower and seen SO many pictures of it and I never thought that I would actually see it…but there it was…leaning towards me…haha. Took a few pictures and really enjoyed the town. Coming back, I was trying to learn a little bit of Italian…its such a beautiful language. Once we got back to Livorno, I walked around the city a little, found a grocery store and a McDonalds…yes, they truly are taking over the world….one happy meal at a time. Something else that I haven't said yet but I have notice at almost every city since Venice…was the fact that almost EVERYONE has a rolling suitcase with them….all the time. I don't understand why….its like I'm constantly in an airport or something. Its very interesting to me and I'm not the only one that has noticed. 

Next, we spent an AWESOME day in Monte Carlo. That is such a cool place and SO expensive…you can just smell it. Walking from the port…which that right there was amazing in itself…so many different yachts and cars….whoosh. There was just SO much money….EVERYWHERE! Its a very clean and nice city filled with shops and nice restaurants. Had a great lunch with the entire cast at this little cafe and then we walked up about a millions stairs to a fort on top of the hill…stunning view from up there and great ice cream as well. Took a few pictures up there and actually…we got a crowd starting to come around us because we all decided to take pictures of us jumping (don't ask why) and people started watching us do it and actually one woman wanted to take a picture of us doing it for herself…that was a little strange but whatever..made her happy. 

Today we spent a lovely day in St. Tropez, France….right in the heart of the French Rivera. It was a very cute little town and I enjoyed my time walking around and seeing all the cool shops. I stuck my feet in the water and it felt really good. I had actually forgot to bring a towel, so before I put my shoes back on…I needed to dry my feet off. I was walking over to the side..where there were some rocks….I saw some moss and I knew not to step there. So I stepped to the right of it and you guessed it…the rock won the fight. I fell right on my face…half of my pants and shirt got wet, HUGE bruise on my leg and cut open my toe pretty well…..damn rock. After the fight, we walked around a little…saw my first cactus…yes I know….I had to travel half of the world to see my first cactus but still. That night, we had a lovely evening with the show and had a great audience.

Tomorrow we arrive in Barcelona where I am on IPM all day (IPM - In Port Manning…by law you have to have so many people on the ship at one time…tomorrow is my day). I am planning on catching up on my book..Eat, Pray, Love…getting a tan, getting a haircut and just enjoying my day. We have an exciting week coming up with Palma de Mallorca, Spain on Sunday / Valencia, Spain on Monday / At Sea on Tuesday / Malaga, Spain on Wednesday / Cadiz, Spain on Thursday / Portimao, Portugal on Friday and we end the cruise in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday. I'm sure I will see my fair share of more rolling suitcase…I'll keep you posted…haha.

Until Next Time,

Jason 

I have no homeland....apparently

Hello everyone, 

What a wonderful week this has been. 

The sea days for the entertainment company can be a bore sometimes but most of the times, its not. I was up doing "Coffee chat" at 10:30 am, where I actually had people waiting for me…excited to talk with me. There was a little Japanese lady that didn't speak much English, but really enjoyed my singing and wanted me to come to Japan. Little does she know that in December, I will be on a commercial in Japan for Silver Sea…haha. At 11:00 am, I had to do Golf, which was REALLY interesting since I have NO idea how to play it. It was hilarious, I got asked if I was the golf pro…I wanted to say my instant thought…"haha…Hell no" but I held back. Later, I had to play shuffleboard…which in all actuality, is a pretty fun game. 

Thursday we were in Taormina, Italy and it was a beautiful port again. The city is up on the mountain and you have to take a 45 min shuttle just to get to it. It really reminded me of what an "European" city should look like (I hope that makes sense). I walked around the city by myself for a few hours…it was nice. Went to the "Greek Theatre" in the city and that was SO cool. The view, first off, was just crazy but the thought that theatre from ALONG time ago was performed here was just fascinating for me. I sat in the theatre, just trying to take it all in. Trying to imagine the art, music, language that was performed with such grace and passion hundreds and hundreds of years ago. It was a great time in Taormina…and funny because next year, thats where we will be for my 24th birthday. That night we had a fun show of Aquarius, the audience loved it. 

Friday we were in Sorrento, Italy which was one of those "European" city that I always thought of again. Had the BEST gelato there…mmmmm. Walked around and took in the many sights of the city. It really wasn't a big tourist place…which I enjoyed and I actually caught myself thinking that I could see myself living there. We didn't get to spend much time in Sorrento because our ship was leaving early that day for our next designation. It was sad though, it rained that evening so we couldn't do our deck show outside, but instead moved it to the theatre…which was a little strange but we managed to do it and the audience loved it. 

Saturday we arrived in Civitavecchia, Italy for our next embarkation day. I had to wake up at 7:00am to hand out 540 passports…whoosh. But for some reason, I must have studied German and Spanish in the night because I had about 10 people say their suite room numbers to me in those languages and I totally understood them…just like it was nothing…haha. Later that day, a lady at the terminal, who originally was from England but now lived in Chicago was…well, how do I put it….interestingly rude(ish). She was trying to guess where we were all from….she could guess everyones except mine and she didn't believe that I was from America when I told her….or in her words, "You don't sound American". So, me just being me and curious said, "Huh…well out of curiosity…where do I sound like I'm from?" To which she responded with, "Someone that has been traveling around for a long time" (HAHAHA) "3 weeks" I said back to her…to which is walked away and boarded the ship. So first off, I couldn't decide if I should take offense to that or not. One of my fellow cast mates said to me, "Coming from a woman that was born in England and now lives in Chicago…you have nothing to worry about Jason" (hahaha) but I didn't know if she was just saying, you poor little kid…you don't have money so you have to work on a ship and travel the world and now you have no home land. Hahaha…I don't know why this bothered me, but it did for the rest of the day. 

Later that night, the entire cast was up on the crew deck just playing cards and really enjoying each others company. I liked sitting up there and watching us sail away to embark on another cruise. Its funny (I was thinking earlier today when I was reading "Eat, Pray, Love" on the crew deck…yes mom, I said reading) that I wake up every morning and I'm greeted by another beautiful creation that God has made on our planet (Woah…a little deep but bare with me). Just like right now…as I type this blog…I look to my right and see a BEAUTIFUL sun set along the mountains…just breathtaking.  I wish that everyone on this world could experience this and understand that we are all truly blest to live the lives that we live. Even the times that are hard, they make you stronger. Even the times where you don't understand or ask "why it is happening to me"….it's not your time to understand yet, but just experience it. Recently, I keep finding myself asking, "WHY?" Nothing more following the word, just those three letters that can pack such a punch sometimes or carry so much energy or baggage…."WHY?" At the current moment, I don't understand this word or "why" I feel it….I'm not going to ignore it, but I'm not going to worry myself. Thats something I have learned already during this adventure…what does worrying solve…not a thing. Just experience…it will only make you stronger and appreciate life more. So to you readers out there, make sure you keep those loved ones around you close…tell them that you love them, hug them…do all these things randomly….it will make you and them feel….priceless.

Until Next Time, 

Jason  

Venice, Canoeing and Stanley the goat...

Hello everyone,

Well a dream that I once had for a few years has now come true…going to Italy especially Venice!!! I just spent 3 wonderful days in the city. Friday morning, I woke up at 6am to see us sail into the city. It was so overwhelming seeing a beautiful sunset while entering one of the most romantic cities in the world. Stayed up there for quite sometime…thinking about the special people in my life that I wish were there to share this experience with me. The early morning Friday we still had alittle more rehearsing to do but as soon as we were done…I got off the ship so fast. We walked down the pier and it was exactly what I thought Venice would be like…looking down the little side streets (or streams) with the buildings in between…just breathtaking. 

Spent the first day just getting lost in the many streets of Venice…its crazy….one of those moments where you have to experience it to understand. We walked to the very famous St. Marks Square and I was just stunned. It was just everything I thought it would be. There were SO many people there and the italian music was playing and you could just tell, how awesome this city was. We went up into the clock tower to get a really good view of Venice…it was really great. We spent a good 5 hours in the city, just walking around and just enjoying each others company. At lunch…I ordered a pizza and I swear it was one of the best I've ever had. I didn't realize how expensive Coke is in the European cities but I learned quickly. It was cool during lunch….we were sitting next to Paul Potts (you know, the opera singer that won Britain's Got Talent???) I didn't know it was him at first, but the people from England I was with, knew right away. That was cool!! Later that night we had a lovely dinner…the entire cast and crew…on the river and it was just great. Wonderful food and the wine was SO GOOD. I normally don't like to drink wine but I really enjoyed it. Lets just say…I had a GREAT night!!! haha

Saturday was an embark day…so we all had to work…which was a little interesting haha. Its a normal day of fun duties that you don't get to go around the city and just having to stay on the boat…BORING! So we will go to Sunday. I woke up early so I could get into the city. I wanted to buy a Venetian Mask…its just something you have to do…so I found a beautiful place and bought it. Look at the store I went to…the collections of mask are just beautiful…

After a wonderful day…I got some pizza and sat in St. Marks Square again and just took it all in…just really taking everything in…making sure I understood what wonderful things are happening in my life. Watched the sail away later that night, which I will admit was alittle sad. I really enjoyed my time in Venice and I didn't want my time to end…but we were off and going back to Split, Croatia for the second time. 

For this time in Split, I had signed up for a escort/guide position on one of the tours. I asked to do the canoeing trip down the Cetina river (up in the mountains). What a blast that was!!! I didn't think that it was going to happen b/c it started to rain early in the morning but we still were scheduled to do it. I haven't really been the outdoors kinda guy in the past couple of years but I thought…why not, just have an adventure. I will say, getting ready for this tour…made me think of my younger years when my family would go camping…I really miss that. Anyway, I was asked to be one of the "captains or skippers" of the rafts…which means I had the hard job…I had to steer the raft going down the river. You know…it is a lot harder than it seems, especially when there are rocks/trees and rapids down the river. RAPIDS…yes I did just say that. I thought it was going to be a calm canoe down the river…lovely views, animals, mountains…no no…everything plus….rapids. So, lets just say…it was quite an adventure. I had a guy that thought I didn't understand how to do anything, so he kept paddling while I was trying to steer…I wish I could have said, please stop…you are going to make it worse. Well…the entire time…we kept getting stuck on the rocks and running into the brush…it was actually kinda funny….3 1/2 hours of good times. After we got down the river, we had a wonderful lunch and drive back to the ship. 

Later that night we had Rocketman and it was a great show…I had a lot of fun with it and the audience responded very well to the show. 

Today we spent the day in Dubrovnik, Croatia and what a beautiful city it was. Lesley and I walked around the city, just trying to get lost and found this AWESOME club/beach/swim in the ocean area. We sat there for a while, wishing we had our swimming suits but alas…we didn't. So we walked around a little more and waited for the others to come to the shore and had a great Croatian lunch. Then we went up into the mountains on one of the lifts….SO BEAUTIFUL. We had an adventure when we got up there…we went off the path a little bit and met Stanley the goat. He was very nice and kept following us, which was sad, cause his family ran off after a car went by but eventually he caught back up to them. 

Tomorrow we are at sea all day, Thursday we are in Taormina, Italy / Friday we are in Sorrento, Italy and we end the cruise in Civitavecchia, Italy (an hour outside of Rome) for which I have been on the cruise for 3 weeks…time goes very quick.

Well, watching another video tonight on the TV. Did I mention that I get free movies in my cabin? Yeah, I get to watch any movie on the TV for free….456 of them. I think that I'll be okay….haha.

Until Next Time, 

Jason

If you sing along, you'll get warmer...

Hello everyone,

Well…this week has gone quickly…I can't believe it. Where did I leave off….Tuesday we were in Corfu, Greece. I didn't get off the ship…we were rehearsing "Aquarius Dawning"…whoosh…it was a long day. Took some BEAUTIFUL pictures that night of the sun set…

Beautiful huh? Later that night we did the show. It was a fun time…probably will be my favorite once I figure everything out in the show. I will say though…it was very difficult performing that night because it was SO rocky. You would have thought that we were all drunk…it was quite funny. 

Wednesday was a great day…we were in Kotor, Montenegro a beautiful place that I want to visit again someday. Just was filled with history and just…ehh…I can't really explain it. I was overwhelmed when we were leaving that night. It was just so pretty. This city was engulfed by the mountains and the sea…it was so breathtaking. The history of that town and the neighboring cities was truly remarkable. There is a convent in the middle of the sea…this tiny island that has these nuns on it that come out and ring their bell to give good wishes to the passing ships. Wednesday night we had Spirito on the deck again, but this time it was extremely windy and cold. I tried to make people warm by having WAY too much energy but that didn't work. During "Celebration" I have a moment where I need their help and sing along with me and stuff and I said to everyone, "If you sing along with us, I'm sure you will get warmer…" everyone laughed and actually started singing along. I met a really nice woman after the show, when we have to bring people up on the dance floor and dance with them. She was a teacher of religion and art history. Very interesting discussion that we had….her telling me about her world travels and how I'm going to love seeing everything that I'm going to see. That was nice to hear from a passenger. Her friends were a hoot. They were very wise and gave some great advice. They said to me, never stop working, never stop challenging yourself because the moment that you do, thats when you become old. The gentleman was 72 (I think he said) and I didn't believe him and still don't. But he was an extremely intelligent man and I really enjoyed talking to him. 

Today we were in Split, Croatia…it was very pretty. Actually got off the ship very early to go sight see. It was a very pretty town. I have notice that they did waste any space when they built these cities. The buildings are SO close together I could touch two different buildings at the same time if I really wanted to…so strange. Later this afternoon, I was asked to do a Japanese commercial for Silver Sea. No, no…I didn't have to speak it. Could you imagine…they wouldn't want me doing it…I know I probably would have said something wrong and really offended someone. I just sat there, talking to one of the other girls…drinking wine, having a nice meal. The only problem is…the sun was in my eyes the entire time. I tried asking the guy if I could move, so I could actually see what I was eating/drinking…that was a fun time. I had to mime the sun beams coming down and then acting like my eyes hurt and I couldn't see..for him to understand. I wish you all could have seen that…I'm sure I looked very special…haha.

Tomorrow is the big day though…our sail into Venice, Italy. I am SO excited, I can't see straight. I am waking up really early tomorrow, to see us sail into the city because I am told that it is one of the most beautiful things that I will ever see. I can not wait to see it and spend all day tomorrow in the city. AHHH….my next blog will be ALL about my time in Venice. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Until next time (Ciao),

Jason